World
The Doha Round is Dead, Long Live Free Trade
The failure of the WTO trade talks is unfortunate and may weaken the multilateral trading system, accelerating the move to bilateral agreements. All countries, regardless of the justification of their stance, must ask if safeguard mechanisms are really the issue on which they should be playing endgame. Is that not yesterday’s battle?
High Food Prices: An Opportunity for the WFP
Current high food prices illustrate deep-rooted problems all along the agricultural supply chain, rather than simply demand-supply imbalances. Given its inefficiencies, it is best to bypass that system and the WFP is in the enviable position of being able to do so.
A Dynamic Welfare State?
Is it possible to have both a welfare state and a dynamic economy? Sweden offers hope that it is. Ironically, however, the countries best placed to establish sustainable welfare systems might be the ones most skeptical of them.
Public or Private Education: A Pragmatic View
Natasha argues for pragmatism in this debate. While there may be a theoretical case for public education, there is no inherently better model. Universal public education, as a value, should not interfere with choosing whatever works best in a given situation. Let the perfect not be the enemy of the good.
The Contradiction of Kosovo and Multi-Ethnic Societies
Kosovo’s independence fundamentally weakens the case for multi-ethnic societies and for a multi-ethnic, “integrated” Europe.
Venture Capital and Cleantech Innovation
Cleantech venture capital may have to accommodate longer innovation cycles if it is to reduce its dependence on subsidies and become financially sustainable.
WSJ to the WHO: In Defense of Patents
The Wall Street Journal defends patents, but disingenuously confuses the problems of high drug costs and poor delivery. Yet, the two issues are independent and require different approaches.
Subprime Loans and Race Inequality
The NYTimes finds a clear link between subprime lending and race inequality in America, suggesting even in developing countries the availability of credit, by itself, is no solution to poverty.
